Oxford BG239 at Leconfield airfield.
In the early hours of 24th July 1942 this 15 (P)A.F.U. aircraft was being flown on a solo night flying training exercise that involved beacon flying. When the pilot attempted to land at Leconfield he found a slight tail wind affected landing, so much so that he overshot twice and flew circuits of the airfield. On the third attempt to land at 02.30hrs he touched down but could not stop on the airfield. The aircraft overshot into a cornfield off the north end of the airfield with the undercarriage collapsed. Cat.B/FA damage was the damage assesment.
Pilot - P/O Albert Edward Steward RAFVR (116785). Injured.
Oxford BG239 was built to contract B.128581/40 by Airspeed Ltd, at Portsmouth and was taken on charge by 15 (P) A.F.U. at Leconfield on 9th July 1942. The incident on 24th July 1942 it not recorded in the published Air Britain history of the aircraft so was probably a Cat.A minor damage assessment or even a Cat.U. On 13th September 1942 the aircraft was flown into an MU store before being taken on charge by No.3 F.I.S. on 28th September 1942 at Castle Combe where it carried the code "-61" on the fuselage. On 30th July 1943 the aircraft was transferred to No.2 Radio School at Yatebury and was struck off charge there on 15th January 1945.